The Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies
Alaska's rural and multi-cultural environment calls for multidisciplinary approaches to defining health problems and identifying appropriate solutions. The Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies (ICHS) was established by the Alaska Legislature in 1988 to improve the health of peoples of Alaska and other circumpolar areas through instruction, information services, and basic and applied research in health and medicine.
Our applied research focus supports public health planning and provides opportunities for students to gain research experience. Our faculty and staff have expertise in epidemiologic study design, quantitative and qualitative analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), community engagement, evaluation, and facilitation.
NEWS & Stories
UAA Associate Professor of Environmental Health Micah Hahn is leading a research project around climate change, health, wildfire smoke and environmental justice in Alaska that recently received a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to results from research led by Micah Hahn, an environmental epidemiologist here at UAA, Alaskans' health starts suffering when temperatures climb to 70 degrees, and that local and state officials should consider policies to respond to heat-related health problems that are expected to increase as the climate continues to warm.
Micah Hahn, assistant professor of Environmental Health with the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies of the UAA Div. of Population Health Sciences, has recently co-authored numerous papers focused on wildfire smoke, evolving perceptions, modeling geographic uncertainty, implications of inadequate water storage, and more.
Ruby Fried, assistant professor of Health Science, and Micah Hahn, assistant professor of Environmental Health, of the Institute for Circumpolar Health Sciences within the Div. of Population Health Sciences, have co-authored an article, titled “COVID-19 in Remote Alaska Communities: A Longitudinal View of a Novel Pandemic.” This statewide, longitudinal study on remote communities provides a perspective based on the lived experience of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people living in remote Arctic communities, and an opportunity for evidence- and strengths-based responses to the many impacts of COVID-19.
Upcoming Events
Contact Us:
Phone: 907-786-6545
Fax: 907-786-6572
Email: uaa_ichs@alaska.edu
Mailing Address:
The Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies
UAA Professional Studies Building
3211 Providence Dr., PSB 206
Anchorage, AK 99508
